Court Records in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The office handles both Circuit Court and Family Court filings for the county. You can search Orangeburg County court records for free using the South Carolina Public Index online, or you can visit the courthouse in person. This guide covers how to find court records in Orangeburg County and what to expect from the process.
Orangeburg County Court Records Quick Facts
Orangeburg County Clerk of Court
The Honorable Winnifa Brown-Clark serves as the Clerk of Court for Orangeburg County. The office is divided into two main areas: one for Circuit Court records covering civil and criminal cases, and one for Family Court records covering domestic and juvenile matters. Staff use computers throughout the office to process over 5,000 civil cases, more than 10,000 criminal warrants, and more than 5,000 domestic and juvenile cases each year. Court is held 46 weeks per year in Orangeburg County.
The Clerk of Court office is located at 1406 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Mail can be sent to PO Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29115-9000. The main phone number is (803) 533-6243. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The county website is at orangeburgcounty.org.
The SC Judicial Branch maintains a directory of all county clerks, including the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court. This page lists current contact details and court assignments for the 1st Judicial Circuit.
Search Orangeburg County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a free online search tool for all counties through its Public Index. To search Orangeburg County court records, go to publicindex.sccourts.org/orangeburg. You can search by name, case number, or date range, and filter by court type including Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court.
Search results in the Public Index show complete case information. You will see party names, attorney information, case status, hearing dates and outcomes, and financial information such as fines and bonds. This free tool covers most of what people need for general research. For certified copies or original documents, contact the Clerk of Court directly. The SC Judicial Branch case records search page links to the Public Index for all 46 South Carolina counties.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information no longer appears in Public Index search results in accordance with statewide privacy rules.
Orangeburg County Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court in Orangeburg County handles civil cases through the Court of Common Pleas and criminal cases through General Sessions. The Clerk of Court stores all filings for both divisions. Circuit Court records include complaints, motions, answers, orders, and final judgments. Criminal records include arrest warrants, indictments, sentence sheets, and plea documents. The county files over 5,000 civil cases and more than 10,000 criminal warrants each year.
Resident Circuit Court judges for Orangeburg County include Hon. Diane S. Goodstein, Hon. Heath P. Taylor, and Hon. Charles J. McCutchen. These judges rotate through the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Orangeburg County. Under South Carolina Code § 14-3-410, Circuit Court judges are elected and assigned by circuit on a rotating basis.
To get copies of Circuit Court records in Orangeburg County, visit the Clerk of Court at 1406 Amelia Street or mail a written request to PO Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page and certified copies cost $5.00 per document. The Circuit Court fee schedule covers common charges that apply across South Carolina.
Orangeburg County Family Court Records
Orangeburg County has four resident Family Court judges: Hon. Jerrod A. Anderson, Hon. Anne G. Jones, Hon. Mandy W. Kimmons, and Hon. Michael H. Murphy, III. The Family Court handles divorces, child custody and support, adoptions, protective orders, and juvenile cases. The Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court records for Orangeburg County.
Family Court records are available through the Public Index. You can filter by Family Court to narrow search results. Juvenile records are restricted and are not available to the general public. Final divorce decrees, custody orders, and separation agreements are generally part of the public record unless sealed by the court. Under § 30-2-330 of the South Carolina Code, certain personal information in public records is protected from disclosure. For certified copies of divorce decrees or Family Court orders, contact the Clerk of Court in Orangeburg County directly. The SC Family Court page has more detail about how Family Court works statewide.
Orangeburg Magistrate Court Records
Orangeburg County has several Magistrate Court locations serving different parts of the county. The Chief Magistrate is Hon. Meree D. Williamson, reachable at (803) 533-5848. Associate Chief Magistrate is Hon. Robert N. Clariday at (803) 268-2969. Additional magistrates handle cases throughout the county.
Magistrate Court locations in Orangeburg County include:
- Central Region Magistrate: Law Enforcement Complex, 1540 Ellis Avenue, Orangeburg
- Western Region Magistrate: 6357 Savannah Highway, Neeses, SC 29107
- Eastern Region Magistrate: 8423 Old State Road, Holly Hill, SC
- Bond Court: Law Enforcement Complex, 1540 Ellis Avenue, Orangeburg
- Central Traffic Court: (803) 533-5879
- Domestic Violence Court: (803) 533-5848
Magistrate Court records in Orangeburg County cover misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and small civil disputes under $7,500. Many of these records appear in the Public Index. The SC Magistrate Court page explains statewide jurisdiction and procedures.
Orangeburg County Probate and Other Records
The Probate Court in Orangeburg County is led by Hon. Pandora L. Jones-Glover. The court's address is PO Drawer 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29115, and the phone number is (803) 533-6280. The Probate Court handles estate matters, wills, guardianships, and marriage licenses. The SC Probate Court page explains how probate records work across the state.
The Register of Deeds for Orangeburg County is The Honorable Demetrice Williams. The office is reachable at (803) 533-6237. The Register of Deeds handles property transactions, deeds, mortgages, and land records. Property records are separate from court case records but may be connected in civil litigation involving real estate.
For criminal history background checks in Orangeburg County, use the SLED CATCH system for a statewide search. The fee is $25 plus a $1 convenience fee for online submissions. SLED searches cover South Carolina records only. Local criminal records are also available through the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court for cases handled in General Sessions court.
FOIA Requests for Orangeburg County Court Records
South Carolina public records law at § 30-4-10 et seq. gives the public the right to access most court records. To submit a public records request in Orangeburg County, contact the Clerk of Court in writing. Mail requests to PO Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29115. The office has 10 business days to respond and 30 calendar days to fulfill the request.
Copy fees follow state rates: $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. Staff research fees may apply for extensive searches. Under § 14-9-150 of the South Carolina Code, the Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining court records and providing access to them. Certain records including juvenile cases and sealed files are exempt from public access.
Nearby Counties
Orangeburg County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit in the central-south region of South Carolina. Neighboring counties include Calhoun, Richland, Lexington, and Colleton. The county seat is Orangeburg, and the courthouse serves the entire county.